murphyQuaternium-15
AKA: 4080-31-3, CHEBI:59607, Dowicil 100, 1-(3-Chloroallyl)-3, 7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, N-(3-Chloroallyl)hexaminium chloride, Dowicide Q, Quaternium 15, Cinartc 200
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginQuaternium-15 is a synthetic quaternary ammonium compound derived from formaldehyde and dimethylamine precursors. It is synthesized through the quaternization of methylated amine compounds with formaldehyde-releasing agents.
Methenamine 3-chloroallylochloride
Solubility greater than 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C9H16Cl2N4
Mol. Weight
251.15
CAS #
4080-31-3, 51229-78-8
Form
Liquid
State
1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride is a cream-colored powder. (NTP, 1992)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Formaldehyde Releaser
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
8
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Human test and Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 180 and 543)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
7 studies / 4 irritating / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions slight to moderate (CIR 180 and 543)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
28 studies / 8 irritating / 3 mixed / 17 not irritating / reactions slight to moderate (CIR 180 and 543)
Mixed Sensitization Results
22 studies / 7 sensitizing / 2 mixed / 13 not sensitizing / plus 10 case reports (CIR 180 and 543)
Dermal Absorption 1–2%
2 results from animal tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 180 and 543)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.2%
EU regulatory limit: 0.2%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 31.
Regulatory Agencies
🧂Conflict of interest.
Verified Jun 2026 · 🧪 = conflict
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR